Law Enforcement Report - March 7, 2012

Registered sex offender arrested for molesting girl

Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies arrested a registered sex offender for allegedly molesting a juvenile girl two to three years ago. A KCSO report identified the man as 25-year-old Phillip Patterson of Jones Road, Kershaw.

According to the report, the girl -- who now lives out of state -- was staying with another family while going to school in the area. Reportedly, the girl recently told her mother that while staying with that family, Patterson came into the bathroom while she was taking a bath and molested her.

Patterson is listed on the South Carolina sex offender registry as having been convicted in 2004 of first degree criminal sexual conduct and that he was released from prison in November 2007.

The girl’s mother in the current case filed the complaint Jan. 12. Deputies arrested him Feb. 27 after investigating the allegations. According to online jail records, Patterson is still being held at the Kershaw County Detention Center. Those records also indicated he was on probation with “high supervision” status through September 2013.

The KCSO reported the following other incidents during the period of Feb. 27 - March 4:

A number of deputies responded to a 911 call at an Aberdeen Way, Elgin, home from a woman saying that someone broke into her house and she was locked in an upstairs bedroom or bathroom with a gun to protect herself. When deputies arrived, they saw a man walking from the right side of the house and placed him into investigative detention. The woman claimed the man was her husband and that he had illegally entered the home by breaking a window. When they learned the man and woman were still married with no court orders involved, deputies advised the woman they could not arrest him for burglary. However, noting that the man was uncooperative, they also advised the woman to find somewhere else to say and to seek a restraining order.

Deputies are investigating the possibility that a 55-year-old woman abused her 53-year-old boyfriend to the point where he ended up in a Richland County hospital. The man’s daughter reported her father was taken to the hospital in early January, but the family didn’t know because he was allegedly dropped off by an unknown subject. She said hospital staff did not know her father’s name and had listed him as a “John Doe.” She said hospital physicians advised that her father is in critical condition and that his injuries point to abuse. The man’s daughter said she confronted her father’s girlfriend, but that she keeps changing the story. She said doctors have told her father might have two weeks left to live.

A Lugoff woman reported two men in their 40s drove on her driveway in a burgundy SUV. She said one of the men came up to her and asked if a Cadillac in her yard was for sale. She said the man attempted to hug her several times and that she had to forcefully shove him off her. She said the men then got back into their SUV and drove off.

Someone entered the unlocked front door of a Virginia Drive, Camden, home and stole a 32-inch flat-screen TV. Another family on Virginia Drive reported a possible prowler on their property between 3 and 3:30 a.m. Saturday. A 5-year-old girl told her parents she woke up and saw someone running in their back yard.

A 22-year-old Cassatt man said his 46-year-old uncle attacked him when he went to the older man’s house to get some plastic to fix a window. He said the man punched him in the face several times. A deputy reported that the man had minor injuries. EMS arrived and transported the man to the hospital.

Deputies arrested a 23-year-old Lancaster man for possession with intent to distribute marijuana after finding him in possession of 3.4 pounds of marijuana in the rear cargo area of his car. Deputies initially stopped him for following too close on I-20.

Deputies seized $11,100 from a 30-year-old Spring Grove, Va., man and 36-year-old Hampton, Va., man after stopping them for speeding on I-20. Deputies charged the men with simple possession of marijuana after finding marijuana throughout their car.

Deputies arrested two Columbia men, ages 21 and 22, and charged them with possession with intent to distribute marijuana after finding approximately 5.5 ounces of marijuana in 2010 Hyundai Sonata during traffic stop on I-20.

Someone threw a hammer through a back window of a Flat Rock Road, Kershaw, home in order to gain entry. They then stole a refrigerator and stove.

Someone pried open a door to a Seegars Mill Road, Camden, home, stole about $700 in jewelry and vandalized $4,750 in electronics.

Someone broke a window at a Red Hill Road, Camden, home and stole a 32-inch flat screen TV, toaster, vase, picture and a video game console.

The KCSO is looking for a 55-year-old man who allegedly exposed himself and urinated in public at an Elgin health care facility.

Someone kicked in the back door for a Kershaw Highway, Camden, home and stole a freezer, refrigerator and stove.

Someone stole a pistol and a silver and gold ring from a Chicora Trail, Camden, home.

County deputies also assisted other agencies, served bench warrants and dealt with 13 simple possession of marijuana; six simple assault; five theft from a motor vehicle; four harassing or obscene phone calls, public disorderly conduct and vandalism; three death, larceny and speeding; two burglary, open container, malicious injury to property, seatbelt violation and shoplifting; and one aggravated assault, ATM/credit card fraud, attempted suicide by overdose, bad check, breach of peace, criminal domestic violence, driving under suspension, narcotics, no driver’s license, possession of drug paraphernalia, runaway and use of a motor vehicle without owner’s consent.

*****

The Camden Police Department assisted other agencies, served bench warrants and dealt with the following types of incidents during the period of Feb. 27-March 4: three burglary; two communicating threats, simple possession of marijuana and trespassing; and one assault by intimidation, checking account fraud, civil disturbance, DUI, driving under suspension, larceny, possession of drug paraphernalia, public disorderly conduct, shoplifting and simple assault.

Incident reports are provided by the Camden Police Department and Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office and are a matter of public record under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act. If the C-I makes a mistake, it will correct it upon verification with the appropriate law enforcement agency. Readers are cautioned that other individuals may have similar or identical names as those contained in incident reports. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.